How Much Does a Chief Public Defender Make in North Carolina?

Updated April 01, 2025
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual pay of Chief Public Defender in North Carolina is $70,219. While Salary.com is seeing that Chief Public Defender salary in NC can go up to $107,356 or down to $58,768, but most earn between $64,225 and $89,658. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and your experience levels. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Related Job Titles to Chief Public Defender
Public Defender
$100,115
North Carolina
Per Year
Assistant Public Defender
$100,115
North Carolina
Per Year
Deputy Public Defender
$100,115
North Carolina
Per Year
Federal Public Defender
$62,727
North Carolina
Per Year
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Similar Job Salaries to Chief Public Defender by Company

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Company average base salary in (usd) range
State of North Carolina
Assistant Public Defender
$148,330/yr
$124,772
$171,888
RANGE: $124,772 - $171,888
State of North Carolina
Public Defender Legal Assistant
$74,687/yr
$64,060
$85,314
RANGE: $64,060 - $85,314
Brown County
Chief Public Defender
$170,925/yr
$142,478
$199,371
RANGE: $142,478 - $199,371
County of Dallas, TX
Chief Public Defender
$180,697/yr
$150,930
$210,463
RANGE: $150,930 - $210,463
Clark County, NV
CHIEF DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER
$155,321/yr
$129,374
$181,269
RANGE: $129,374 - $181,269

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Top 10 Highest Paying Cities For Chief Public Defender Jobs in North Carolina

It is important to understand how location impacts your career prospects in the United States. There are some cities where a Chief Public Defender can find a job easily with a greater salary paid then achieve a higher standard of living. Below is the top cities list for Chief Public Defender job salaries in North Carolina. Some cities can pay higher salaries for Chief Public Defender jobs, which can indicate that there is a large demand for Chief Public Defender positions in this city.
The following table shows top 10 cities where the Chief Public Defender salary is higher than other cities in North Carolina. Raleigh takes first place in this list, followed by Cary, Durham. The Chief Public Defender salary is $72,539 in Raleigh, which is lower than the national average. There is 0 city's Chief Public Defender salary higher than national average in North Carolina.
The average salary for a Chief Public Defender in North Carolina is $70,219, but we found that the city with the highest salary for Chief Public Defender jobs is Raleigh, NC, and it is higher than Cary. Chief Public Defender jobs in Raleigh can have the opportunity to earn higher salaries than in other cities in North Carolina.
CITY ANNUAL SALARY MONTHLY PAY WEEKLY PAY HOURLY WAGE
Raleigh $72,539 $6,045 $1,395 $35
Cary $72,539 $6,045 $1,395 $35
Durham $72,029 $6,002 $1,385 $35
Greenville $72,022 $6,002 $1,385 $35
Rocky Mount $72,022 $6,002 $1,385 $35
Wilson $72,022 $6,002 $1,385 $35
Charlotte $71,416 $5,951 $1,373 $34
Gastonia $71,342 $5,945 $1,372 $34
Chapel Hill $71,113 $5,926 $1,368 $34
Hickory $70,670 $5,889 $1,359 $34

What Does a Chief Public Defender Do?

The public defender system is not the only form of indigent defense program offered in the United States.
Updated October 08, 2021
Assigned counsel is usually used when the public defender program is overexerted in the number of cases they have to process or if there is a legal issue of conflict of interest in a case.
Updated October 06, 2021
In jurisdictions where the public defender is a government agency, public defenders are generally on the same or similar pay-scale to prosecutors.
Updated December 22, 2021
A good example of such an issue is when Louisiana public defenders were so underfunded, had such a large shortage, and had a huge excessive workload that the office was forced to put defendants in need of a public defender on a waiting list.
Updated December 20, 2021
Mayer Goldman, back in the heydays of the public defender program, questioned what should happen if the public defender represents a guilty defendant.
Updated December 19, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions About a Chief Public Defender Salaries

What is the average of a Chief Public Defender in North Carolina?

The Chief Public Defender salary range is from $64,225 to $89,658, and the average Chief Public Defender salary is $70,219/year in North Carolina. The Chief Public Defender's salary will change in different locations.

Which location pays the highest Chief Public Defender salary in the United States?

The Chief Public Defender salary in San Jose, CA is $93,199 which is the highest in the US.

What kinds of reasons will influence the Chief Public Defender's salary?

Besides the location, employees' education degree, related skills, and work experience also will influence the salary. Try to improve your skills and experience to get a higher salary for the position of Chief Public Defender.

What is the growth rate of the Chief Public Defender's salary?

If you are thinking of becoming a Chief Public Defender or planning the next step in your career, find the detailed salary report of a Chief Public Defender.